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New Covid-19 rules will come into force throughout Italy on October 8.
The new law, which was approved by the Italian government this morning, will be valid for 30 days. Effective October 8, people are required to have face masks with them at all times in Italy whenever they leave the house and masks must be worn always when outdoors, unless in “isolated” areas and “during sports”.
Photography by Francesco Spighi (www.francescospighi.com) for The Florentine
The law has entered into effect following a gradual uptick in Covid-19 cases throughout Italy in recent weeks. On October 7, the number of current positive cases had reached 60,000, with a concerning increase in new cases in the regions of Campania (395), Lazio (275), Piedmont (259) and Tuscany (209).
Speaking outside Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Italian government, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conti urged, “Also at home and in families we must be careful. We must be careful when welcoming friends and relatives and keep our distance. These are the situations in which infection spreads the most.”
As from October 8, all persons arriving in Italy from Belgium, France, Holland, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Czechia and Spain, or who have stayed in or have travelled through these countries 14 days prior to their arrival in Italy are now obliged to notify the prevention department of the local health authority and undergo Covid-19 antigen or molecular swab testing. Travellers must present a negative test to the transport company or border control 72 hours prior to their arrival in Italy or the test must be carried out within 48 hours of their arrival to Italy at the airport, port or nearby area. Residents of Tuscany can book tests for free online here for Tuscany or by calling freephone number 800 556060. Non-residents can be tested at the Misericordia di Firenze in via del Sansovino (Monday-Saturday 07:30-09:30) and in piazzetta Valdambra-Novoli (Monday-Saturday 09:00/09:40); booking necessary by calling +39 055 212221. Testing costs 75 euro.
Persons must self-isolate until they receive the test results and are obliged to inform the local health authority here for Tuscany (switch to English on the website) regarding their recent travel.
Read the official information on the Italian Health Ministry website.
All those living in Italy are encouraged to download Immuni, Italy’s Covid-19 tracing app, free and anonymous from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Physical distancing measures of one metre remain in place and the ban against congregating is reiterated in the new legislation, as too does the requirement to wear masks indoors in public spaces (in shops and on public transport, and when getting up from the table in restaurants).
Failure to observe the rules may result in fines ranging from 400 to 1,000 euro.
Read the October 7, 2020 legislation (in Italian) here.
Article updated on 08 October, 2020 14:00
